Paper and Ink -- Writing a Story for 25 Years

David Koehl's bookstore, Paper and Ink, is an institution in Tiffin, Ohio. Koehl, who grew up in the town of 20,000, graduated from Franklin University in Columbus 25 years ago and returned to Tiffin with a degree in public administration and a job offer from the county auditor. He turned down the position, preferring to open his own business.

Missing some of the amenities of the larger city of Columbus, Koehl decided to bring to Tiffin a more complete selection of newspapers and magazines. Paper & Ink opened in a recently renovated space in the back of a mini-mall and could not have hours on Sundays or in the evenings. Two years later the business moved to a larger space, which was shared with an office equipment company. In 1983, the store, which sold magazines, newspapers, and a few comics, moved to its current location, across from the courthouse.

"Over the years," Koehl said, "I've added baseball cards and other sports cards…. In 1989, I took over more of the space." Fifteen years ago, Paper and Ink, which now occupies 3,000 square feet, began selling books.

When a B. Dalton store closed at the Tiffin Mall and an independent store, the Open Book, left a nearby mall, Koehl added to his inventory of children's books and paperbacks. "Hardbacks just don't sell well here because of price resistance," Koehl noted. He also special orders books, carries atlases of every state, and sells coin-collecting materials. Newspapers and magazines continue to be Paper and Ink's bestselling items, along with magic cards, and cards from Pokemon and YuGiOh.

Attending the October 12th anniversary party are: (left to right) Bonnie Boroff, co-owner, Open Market newspaper; Tiffin Mayor Bernard Hohman; Jack Sigler, retired businessman; Pat DelTurco, president, Chamber Board of Directors; David W. Koehl, owner and founder, Paper and Ink; Wilma Klopp, realtor and Tiffin City Council member; and Dr. Leon Putnam, retired college professor.

"I have 2,000 magazine titles, the largest selection between Toledo and Columbus," Koehl said. "From our opening in 1978 to 1995, sales went up every single year.… In 1996 sales dropped and did so until recently, when sales began to climb up again." Koehl attributes the drop to tremendous construction projects in the downtown and a decrease in dramatic introductions by some of the collectible card companies.

Paper and Ink is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., but Koehl is not tiring of the business anytime soon. On Sunday, October 12, the bookstore held an anniversary party with door prizes and refreshments for about 150 patrons. As part of the celebration a contingent from the Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador's Club held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the store. One of those present was retired college professor Dr. Leon Putnam, who has purchased newspapers at Paper and Ink nearly every day for 25 years, said Koehl. --Nomi Schwartz